Member Review

The Writers' Union is a refuge — an occasional one to be sure, but a kind of home nonetheless — for a lot of people who practise an often solitary craft. It's a place populated by people who tend to understand what that's like.

Member Profile

Sharon E. McKay

Photo: Julie Johnson, Vine Images, Burlington, Ontario. 2012

Sharon McKay was born in l954, grew up in Montreal and graduated from York University with a BA. She has lived with, or been married to, David MacLeod for thirty-five years. Together they have two sons and one grandson.

Over the course of her career she has worked in magazines, newspapers, radio, film and written both fiction and non-fiction books.

Currently she is under contact for a series with Penguin, Canada.

War Brothers, the novel published by Penguin Canada, won the Arthur Ellis Award and was written in Gulu, Uganda. War Brothers thr Graphic Novel, with artist Dan Lafrance, will be released in 2013 by Annick Books.

Enemy Territory, Annick Books, is the story of two boys who meet in a hospital in Jerusalem and head off into the night. It was written in Israel and the West Bank. 2012.

Sharon is a Canadian War Artist (CFAP-vet, 2008-9) Kandahar, Afghanistan. She will return to the program in 2012-13, Kabul, Afghanistan. In the fall of 2012 Sharon will be the WIR in a private school Oakville, Ontario. September will be spent in Brigus, Newfoundland, Kent Cottage provided by the Landfall Trust.

Sharon currently lives in Prince Edward Island although travels to Ontario one week out of every month during the school year. Schools interested in an author booking should contact Author Book Service, ABS.

WITS

Presentation Description

Kindergarten, 10 minutes: I like to stop in for a few minutes and read anything. Since this is just for fun I usually pop in during recess. Grades 1& 2, 30 minutes: Book: Molly & Cat. Focus: Story telling and Reading. This is a work-in-progress that children “work” on. Grades 3 to 5: Book: Terror in the Harbour from the Our Canadian Girl series, Penguin. Focus: THE BOY CHALLENGE. Grade 6 to 8: Book: Charlie Wilcox, Focus: Historical fiction Canada-style. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment was decimated in WW1. Their tragedy impacts the rest of Canada today. Charlie tells us how. Grade 9 and up: 60 minutes; Book: Esther. Focus: Historical fiction, Quebec-style (New France) Note: This book, shortlisted for the GG, is based on the true story of a Jewish girl who arrived in Quebec disguised as a boy. Sydney Taylor list (NY) for best Jewish Content. Works best for teens who have had little or no experience with Jewish culture.

Presentation Length:

Flexible

Genre:

Fiction, non fiction, commercial writing

Grades:

Flexible

Audience size:

Flexible

Workshop Description:

Designing a writing career (highschool and parents)

Northern OAC WITS:

Yes

Two sessions:

$Flat fee of $700 for afternoon plus workshop lunch

Four sessions:

$Flat fee of $1000 for full day plus workshop lunch

GST:

GST not applicable

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, and agency of the government of Ontario. We also acknowledge, with immense thanks, the generous donation of legal services by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.

The Writers’ Union of Canada does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services.